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UMD'S BIG DOG FALL SOFTBALL LEAGUE AND TOP DOG CLINIC SET FOR THIS SEPTEMBER

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

This September, the University of Minnesota Duluth will again run a three-day Big Dog Softball League as well as a one-day Top Dog Clinic.

The Big Dog Softball League will be made up of two divisions (grades 9-12, and grades 6-8). Each team will have a pitching/catching, fielding, hitting and base running coach and is scheduled to play six games on Sept. 9, 16 and 23 (with Sept. 30 being a make-up day) at various fields on the UMD campus.

"We've added a couple of new twists which should help create more hitting and defensive opportunities for the players," said veteran UMD softball head coach Jen Banford.  "The first is that players may now play together on a team of their choice and can do so by requesting that on the registration form.  If they want to fill an entire team, that works also.  The other change will be that only experienced pitchers will be allowed to pitch in the league, with three pitchers per team. For the less-experienced and/or beginning pitchers, we’re suggesting they attend the Top Dog Clinic."

"The fall softball league is long over due in the Northland," said Jen Banford.  "This is a great opportunity for the players to develop proper softball fundamentals and strategies of the game.  We are always looking for ways to help promote the sport of softball in this community and provide the local area players with the same opportunities as the Twin Cities Metro area."

The annual Top Dog Clinic will be held on Sept. 16 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on the UMD campus.  The event, which is open to those in grades 3-12, will focus primarily on skill development given by Bulldog coaches and players.

For more information on either the league or clinic please contact Jen Banford (jbanford@d.umn.edu) or Stan Karich (skarich@charter.net)

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